Coffee cooperative needs more land

NGOMA - Members of Muhurire Coffee Cooperative, in Rurenge sector, Ngoma district, have requested district authorities to help them access a bigger portion of land for expanding their farming activities. The coffee farmers revealed this, last Sunday, while talking to The New Times. The cooperative members were conducting a meeting to plan the expansion of their farm holdings. According to John Bizuru, the chair of the cooperative, the society needs more land than the current holding estimated at 123 hectares. “It is true that while we are made to understand that there is access to funding from sources such as Rwanda Development Bank, we still need to expand our land holding if we are to grow. We request the district authorities to help us acquire more land,” he said. Harritte Kabasinga, 21, one of the cooperative members said they are happy with last season’s harvest. “It is true that we have built a sustainable cooperative society with potential for further growth. Last season’s harvest is a pointer of good things to come in the future,” she noted. Aimable Kibinda Sebega, the Executive Secretary of Rurenge sector, emphasized the need to help such agro-based cooperatives. He said that the area and the district at large is heavily depended on agriculture for food and income generation. “We cannot afford to ignore the requirements of such a cooperative society. It is true that land is scarce, but it is also true that we have to develop coffee growing for the good of this sector and the entire district. So, we will push their demands to met by higher authorities,” he said. Muhurire coffee cooperative was established in 2007 and so far it has managed to attract 27 members. Ends